As reported recently by Water Online, water customers in many parts of the U.S. are facing rate hikes due to the sagging economy and decreased demand, according to an Associated Press story published by the Water Environment Federation. Manufacturing closures and cut-backs, a poor real estate market, and a downturn in tourism were cited as causes for the drop in water usage, exemplified in southern Maine by an 11 percent drop in sales last year for the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells Water District.
Rainwater catchment and water conservation are also effecting water demand and therefore water prices.